The remarks made by the pope, "emanate from political
interpretations and are contrary to the divine notions, we consider it's a big
mistake... and we condemn them," he added.

"In order to prevent the indignation of the Muslim's world, the
Pope should reconsider and correct his comments," the spokesman stressed.

Ahmad Khatami, a leading Iranian cleric talking to worshippers
at the main weekly prayers in Tehran on Friday, also criticized that "it is a
pity that the leader of the world's Christians is so uninformed about Islam and
speaks so rudely."

In a speech at Regensburg University in Germany on Tuesday, Pope
Benedict XVI quoted a 14th-century Christian emperor who said the Prophet
Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.